Flushable,pre-moistened wipers

ABSTRACT

1. A FLUSHABLE, PRE-MOISTENED WIPER CAPABLE OF BEINB PACKAGED IN A WET CONDITION FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT DISINTEGRATING, SAID WIPER COMPRISING: A. A WEB OF SOFT, FLEXIBLE, ABSORBENT FIBROUS MATERIAL HAVING OPPOSED MAJOR SURFACES, SAID WEB INCLUDING A FIBER WEIGHT OF AT LEAST 50% OF SHORT CELLULOSIC FIBERS OF A PAPERMAKING LENGTH LESS THAN 1/4 INCH; B. TWO WATER-INSOLUBLE ADHESIVE DISTRIBUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID WEB; (1) ONE WATER-INSOLUBLE ADHESIVE DISTRIBUTION BEING DISTTIBUTED OVER ONE MAJOR SURFACE OF THE WEB IN A PATTERN OF DISCRETE ISLANDS SEPARATED BY CORRIDOR REGIONS, SAID ISLANDS COVERING MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE SURFACE AREA OF SAID WEB AND EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY THROUGH THE THICKNESS OF THE WEB FOR ENHANCING THE WETTENSILE STRENGTH OF SAID WEB TO PERMIT USE OF SAID WEB IN A WET CONDITION WITHOUT MECHANICAL DISINTEGRATION AND FOR AIDING IN STABILIZING SURFACE FIBERS OF SAID WEB, SAID WEB MECANICALLY DISINTEGRATING SUBSTANTIALLY IN SAID CORRIDOR REGIONS WHEN FLUSHED WITHIN THE VORTEX OF A CONVENTIONAL HOUSEHOLD TOILET SYSTEM; AND FING-01 (2) THE OTHER WATER-INSOLUBLE ADHESIVE DISTRIBUTION DISPOSED UNIFORMLY OVER THE PLANAR EXTENT OF THE WEB AND ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST THE OTHER MAJOR SURFACE OF SAID WEB WHICH IS OPPOSED TO SAID ONE MAJOR SURFACE, SAID OTHER WATER-INSOLUBLE DISTRIBUTION EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY THROUGH THE THICKNESS OF SAID WEB AND HAVING A SOLUBLE DISTRIBUTION EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY DRY WEIGHT OF THE FIBERS IN SAID WEB; WHEREBY SAID OTHER ADHESIVE DISTRIBUTION AIDS IN PROVIDING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY TO SAID WEB DURING USE, PERMITS MECHANICAL DISTINTEGRATION OF THE WEB ONCE SAID WEB IS SUBJECTED TO MECHANICAL AGITATION OF THE TYPE ENCOUNTERED IN CONVENTIONAL HOUSEHOLD TOILET SYSTEMS, AND STABILIZES THE FIBERS ON AT LEAST SAID OTHER MAJOR SURFACE OF SAID WEB TO ENHANCE THE ABRASION RESISTANCE OF SAID OTHER NAJOR SURFACE; AND C. A MOISTURE CONTENT IN SAID WEB OF FROM BETWEEN ABOUT 100% AND ABOUT 350% BY WEIGHT BASED ON THE DRY WEIGHT OF THE FINISHED WEB.

Nov 5, 1974 K. o. VASILYADIS FLUSHABLE PRE-MOISTENED WIPERS Filed June15 1972 United States Patent Office 3,846,158 Patented Nov. 5, 19743,846,158 FLUSHABLE, PRE-MOISTENED WIPERS Kosta 0. Vasilyadis, Newark,Del., assignor to Scott Paper Company Filed June 15, 1972, Ser. No.263,145 Int. Cl. B05c 9/04 US. Cl. 117-685 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Flushable, pre-moistened wipers include an adhesively bondedweb of soft, flexible, absorbent fibrous material having a moisturecontent of from between about 100% and about 350% by weight based on thedry weight of the finished web, and a fiber composition comprising atleast 50% by weight of short cellulosic fibers of a papermaking lengthless than one-quarter inch. A first waterinsoluble adhesive distributionis substantially uniformly distributed over the planar extent of the weband at least partially through the thickness of the web for enhancingthe abrasion resistance of at least one surface of the web; forproviding structural integrity to the web for long periods of time inits pre-moistened condition and for permitting mechanical disintegrationof the web when the web is subjected to mechanical agitation of the typeencountered within the vortex of a conventional household toilet system.A second water-insoluble adhesive distribution is disposed in the web ina pattern of discrete islands to form bonded web regions which are notsubstantially mechanically disintegratable upon the application offorces thereto of the type encountered within the vortex of aconventional household toilet system. These islands cover more than 50%of the surface area of the web and extend at least partially through thethickness of the web for enhancing the wet-tensile strength of the weband for aiding in stabilizing surface fibers of the web. The islands areseparated by corridor regions along which the web mechanically breaks upunder mechanical forces of the type encountered within the vortex of aconventional toilet system. I

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to fiushable, pre-moistened wipers.

Description of the Prior Art Pre-moistened wipers are extremely popularfor cleansing many portions of the human body. For example, such wipershave provided the means for cleansing parts of the human body underconditions where water, towels, and the like are not available. Onespecific use for premoistened wipers is for cleansing excreta from thehuman anus, and usually after toilet paper has been used in the normalmanner. In such an application, the wiper is not a substitute for toiletpaper, but provides the final cleansing operation after the bulk of theexcreta has been re moved in the usual manner.

Pre-moistened wipers have many other applications. For example, they canbe used to cleanse parts of the body other than the anus, such as underthe arms, face and/or neck.

A long period of time, i.e. one-half to two years, often elapses fromthe time of manufacture of pre-moistened wipers until the time of use.Therefore, to remain functional, the pre-moistened wipers must havesufficient structural integrity for their intended wiping function aftersuch a long period of time. In addition, flushability of the wiper is anextremely desirable property, especially when the pre-moistened wiper isintended for use as an anal wipe as part of the normal cleansingfunction after a bowel movement.

Prior art pre-moistened wipers have included large percentages (i.e. 1%.to 4%) of a wet strength resin, such as melamine resin. Such wipersusually have such a high wet strength that they will not disintegrate orbreak up into small fiber clumps when flushed within the vortex of aconventional household toilet system. Therefore, such pre-moistenedwipers, if consistently flushed, will tend to plug the drainage systemsassociated with such toilet systems. Also wipers including a largepercentage of wet strength resin tend to be somewhat harsh andinflexible, and therefore, such wipers are not the most suited for usein wiping sensitive parts of the human body. Prior art wet wipers of thetype described above are disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,129,811 and3,057,467 issued to Willinms; and 2,840,080, issued to Clark.

Prior art nonwoven fabrics have relied upon chemical disintegration, orbreakdown of either the fibers in the web or an adhesive component inthe web in order to achieve flushability. US Pat. Nos. 3,554,788;3,561,447 and 3,616,797 disclose nonwoven fabrics bonded with anadhesive having a water-soluble component which is dissolved whenexposed to excessive moisture. US. Pat. No. 3,521,638 discloses a fabricwhich includes a chemically modified cellulosic fiber which is watersensitive to dis integrate when exposed to excessive moisture. US. Pat.No. 3,536,563 relates to a laminated product which includes awater-soluble film disposed between opposed layer of crepe paperwadding. The film will disintegrate when exposed to excessive moisture.All of the above fabrics are packaged in a dry condition, and allegedlywill retain their structural integrity for a short period of time afteruse. The above fabrics will not retain sufiicient structural integrityfor the long periods of time required of wet wipers when such fabricsinclude a moisture content of from between about to about 350% by weightbased on the dry weight of fibers in the web.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Reference throughout this application to thedry Weigh of fibers and webs refers to the weight of the fibers and websunder equilibrium conditions in an environment of 50% relative humidityand 6870 F.

This invention relates to fiushable, pro-moistened wipers which havesufiicient wet strength for their intended wiping function for a longperiod of time, i.e. one-half to two years, and yet are fiushable withina conventional household toilet system. The Wiper is an adhesivelybonded web of soft, flexible absorbent fibrous material. The fibrousmaterial includes short cellulosic fibers of a papermaking length lessthan one-quarter inch having a dry weight constituting over 50% of thedry Weight of the fibrous material within the web.

The web has a moisture content of from between about 100% and about 350%by weight based on the dry weight of the finished web. The web includesfirst and second water-insoluble adhesive distributions therein. Thefirst adhesive distribution is present in an amount of no more thanabout 5% by weight solids based on the dry weight of fibers in the web;and is distributed substantially uniformly over the planar extent of theweb and at least partially through the thickness of the web. This firstadhesive distribution permits mechanical disintegration of the web whenthe web is subjected to mechanical agitation of the type encounteredwithin the vortex of conventional household toilet systems. In addition,the first adhesive distribution stabilizes the fibers of at least onesurface of the web to enhance the abrasion resistance of said surface,and aids in maintaining structural integrity of the web for long periodsof time in the presence of the moisture content within the web. In thepreferred embodiments of this invention the first adhesive distributionis substantially continuous over the planar extent of the web and isachieved by either wet-end bonding in a wet web formation process, or byspraying the web after formation.

The second water-insoluble adhesive distribution is in a pattern ofdiscrete islands to form bonded web regions which are not substantiallymechanically disintegratable when agitated within the vortex of aconventional household toilet system. These islands cover more than 50%of the surface area of the web for stabilizing surface fibers of the weband for enhancing the wet strength of the web to permit its use in a wetcondition without mechanically disintegrating. The web will mechanicallydisintegrate along corridor regions separating the islands when the webis subjected to mechanical agitation of the type encountered within aconventional household toilet system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flushable,pre-moistened diaper with a part broken away to show details of adhesivedistribution;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing analternative embodiment of the invention; and

.FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the blocked portion of FIG. 1 which isidentified as 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a fiushable, pro-moistened wiper 10 according to a firstembodiment of this invention includes a fibrous web 12 having a firstwater-insoluble adhesive distribution 14 disposed substantiallyuniformly and continuously throughout the web, and a secondwaterinsoluble adhesive distribution in the form of discrete islands 16.The discrete islands 16 are not substantially mechanicallydisintegratable upon the application of forces thereto of the typeencountered within the vortex of conventional household toilet systems.The islands 16 are separated by corridor regions 18 which aremechanically disintegratable upon the application of such forcesthereto. The fibrous web 12 has a minimum moisture content therein topermit moisture to drip therefrom when the web is subjected to crushingor crinkling forces; and a maximum moisture content equivalent to allthe moisture the web will hold without dripping under the infiuence ofgravitational force. A moisture content of from between about 100% andabout 350% by weight based on the dry weight of the finished webnormally meets the above requirements. In the most preferred embodimentsof this invention, the moisture content is maintained in the range offrom between about 175% and about 250%. This latter moisture contentrange is perceived to be most acceptable to the tactile sense of a user.

The fibrous web 12 includes at least 50% by weight of short cellulosicfibers of a papermaking length less than one-quarter inch, such as woodpulp fibers and cotton linters. These short fibers are preferred becausethey are inexpensive, readily available and highly absorbent. Ifdesired, the web 12 can be formed from 100% of such short fibers;however, some reinforcing fibers having an average fiber length ofone-quarter inch or longer can be utilized to enhance the softness andstrength of the web. Exemplary reinforcing fibers are rayon, cotton,polyester, polyamide, polyamine, etc. A typical fibrous web according tothis invention has from between about 75% and about 90% by weight oflignocellulosic short fibers, and from between about 10% and about 25%by weight of longer reinforcing fibers.

The first water-insoluble adhesive distribution 14 in this firstembodiment of the invention is effected by wet end addition of saidadhesive in papermaking-type equipment, i.e. in the fiber furnish priorto said furnish being directed onto a drainage member for forming thefibrous web 12. In this manner, the first adhesive distribution 14 issubstantially uniformly and continuously distributed throughout the web12 (FIG. 2). The amount of adhesive added to the wet end is chosen suchthat the formed web has from between about .75 and about 4% solidsweight based on the dry weight of fibers in the web. Below .75 theproduct is too weak to perform its normal wiping function, and tends tobreak up along the corridor regions during use. Above 4% solids weightthe fibrous web will not break up, or disintegrate, in a sufficientlyshort period of time when flushed within a conventional household toiletsystem. Most acceptable results have been achieved with a first adhesivedistribution not exceeding 3% solids weight based on the dry weight ofthe fibers in the web.

The second water-insoluble adhesive distribution, in the form ofdiscrete islands 16, in this first embodiment of the invention, iseffected by a print bonding operation (e.g. gravure printing). Thediscrete islands 16 must cover more than 50% of the surface area of theweb to prevent pilling (fiber separation) on the surface during use.Preferably, the discrete islands 16 cover more than of the surface areaof the web. The adhesive defining the island 16 is present in an amountof up to about 8% solids weight based on the dry Weight of fibers in theweb. The addition of 8% adhesive renders the product somewhat harsh, and6% is a more preferred upper limit. In adidtion to preventing .pillingof the surface, the waterinsoluble discrete islands 16 define bondedregions which enhance the wet tensile strength of the product to insurethat its structural integrity is maintained during its use in wiping.The permissible upper limit of adhesive solids in islands 16 is dictatedprimarily by the softness requirements of the web.

The cross-machine direction wet tensile strength of the wiper 10 ismaintained at over 3.5 ounces per inch, and preferably over 4.0 ouncesper inch. The tensile strength is determined by gripping a 1" widesample with opposed jaws of Instron Tensile Tester, Model No. 2128. Thestarting jaw span is 2 inches, and therefore, the dimension of thesample in the test direction is greater than 2 inches to permit grippingof the sample. The jaws are separated at a speed of 2 inches/minuteuntil the sample breaks and the maximum force applied to the sample isrecorded as the tensile strength.

As stated above, the adhesive defining the islands 16 is of an amountwhich does not permit substantial mechanical disintegration in theislands. Therefore, the dimensions of the islands must be sufiicientlysmall to permit them to be received within drainage systems withoutplugging such drainage systems when the web breaks up along the corridorregions 18. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, each island16 is square, and is no greater than one square inch in area. Islands ofother geometric configurations can be utilized, the particularconfiguration not constituting a limitation on the invention.

The spacing between discrete islands 16 to define the corridor regions18 is chosen to permit the web to break up along the corridor regionswhen the web 12 is subjected to mechanical forces of the typeencountered in a conventional household toilet system. This spacing willvary depending upon the length and orientation of the fibers utilized inthe web. The spacing between islands is chosen such that a substantialnumber of fibers disposed in the corridors 18 will not bridge thecorridors to be bonded by adjacent islands. In this manner, the corridorregions 18 remain sufiiciently weak (i.e. retaining the structuralintegrity imparted to the web by the first adhesive distribution 14) topermit the fibrous web 12 to mechanically break up along the corridorregions under mechanical forces of the type encountered within thevortex of conventional household toilet systems.

Referring to FIG. 4, the discrete islands 16 include regions 20, in theform of sub-corridors which are free of the adhesive defining saidislands. These sub-corridors permit the moisturizing ingredient topenetrate through the surface of the web in the island regions to permittransfer of such ingredient from the web to the area being wiped. Thedimensions of sub-corridors are dictated by the lengths and orientationof the fibers in the web to assure that most of the fibers within theconfines of the islands 16 are bonded by the water-insoluble adhesivedefining said islands. In the wet wiper the dimensions of thesub-corridors between adjacent sub-islands 21 is from between about 3mils and 8 mils.

The configuration of the regions 20 within each island that is free ofthe second adhesive distribution is not critical. For example, theregions 20 could be in the form of discrete islands, as opposed tocontinuous corridors. However, the dimensions of the regions 20 must besuch as to insure that most of the fibers within the confines of theislands 16 are bonded by the adhesive defining said islands.

Reference in this application to the percent of the surface area coveredby the islands 16 neglects the presence of regions 20 within each islandwhich do not include the adhesive defining each of said islands. Theseregions 20 are neglected because they are dimensioned to assure bondingof most of the fibers within the islands by the adhesive defining saidislands, and therefore, do not adversely effect the abrasion resistanceand/ or the stability of the web.

The moisturizing ingredient in the fibrous web includes a majorproportion of water, and other ingredients which are not limiting on thepresent invention. For example, such other ingredients can includealcohol, glycerine, propylene glycol, lanolin, fungicides,bacteriocides, bacteriostats, etc.

The water-insoluble adhesives utilized in this invention are highpolymers which are not hydrolyzable in the wet wiper environment. Theadhesive in the first distribution 14 must be of a type which willpermit mechanical disintegration of the web when the web is subjected tomechanical forces of the type encountered in conventional toiletsystems. Latices are the preferred water-insoluble adhesives utilized inboth adhesive distributions 14 and 16 since they are elastomeric, andimpart soft flexible properties to the web. Preferably, the acryliclatices are utilized, and these are commercially available from manysources. For example, acrylic latices supplied by Rohm & Haas under thetrademarks HA-8, E- 485 and P-339 have been utilized successfully in thewet wipers 10 of this invention. The adhesive in the first and seconddistributions 14 and 16 can be the same or different.

Other water-insoluble adhesives can be utilized in the nonwoven wipersof this invention, and such adhesives are well known to those skilled inthe art. For example, the water-insoluble adhesives disclosed in US.Pat. No. 3,616,797, referred to earlier in this application, can beutilized.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of a wet wiper 10A has a firstwater-insoluble adhesive distribution 14A which is formed by spraying awater-insoluble adhesive on one surface of a formed fibrous web 12A.According to this bonding technique, the solids weight of the latex inthe first adhesive distribution in the web is maintained from betweenabout 2% and about 5% by weight based on the dry weight of fibers in theweb. When the first adhesive distribution 14A is effected by spraying, aheavier adhesive concentration exists on the surface of the web, than ininterior portions thereof, and the concentration of adhesive graduallydecreases with increased de th of penetration. In all other respects,the second embodiment is identical to the first.

The solids weight range of the first adhesive distribution in wiper 10A,which is achieved by spraying, overlaps the solids weight range in wiper10, which is achieved by wet end bonding and has a higher minimum andmaximum value than the solids weight range achieved by wet end bonding.This higher minimum and maximum value assures that the adhesivesutficiently penetrates into the interior of the web to sustain thestructural integrity of the web during use.

If desired, the wet wipers of this invention can be creped, embossed orotherwise texturized to enhance softness of the product. Normally,working the Web to enhance its softness tends to reduce the wet tensilestrength of the web. Therefore, the conditions of forming the web; suchas curing time and temperature, amount of adhesive, fiber compositionand print bonding pattern must be controlled such that the wet tensilestrength in the web is maintained at a sufiiciently high level towithstand usage without mechanical disintegration.

The following examples are illustrative of the present invention, butare not to be construed as limiting the invention; the limits of theinvention being described in the claims.

EXAMPLE I A fibrous web was wet formed from a furnish in which thefibers were 100% pictou a bleached sulfate softwood). The furnishcontained P-339, 45% solids by weight, in an amount such that the driedWeb contained 1% adhesive solids by weight based on the dry weight offibers in the web. The web was dried, and 15-485, 50% solids by weight,was print bonded on the dried web in islands of a square configurationhaving sides which were 78" in length. The islands were oriented withtheir diagonals in the machine-direction of web formation, and hadsub-corridors and sub-islands, as described above. The islands werespaced to define /s" wide corridor regions. The adhesive added in theislands was 4% solids by weight, based on the dry weight of the fibersin the web, and covered approximately 76.5% of the surface area of theweb. The web was heated for two minutes at approximately 325 F. to drythe web and cure the adhesive. A moisturizing ingredient was added tothe web in an amount of approximately 200% by weight, based on theweight of the adhesively bonded and cured web. The web had a basisweight of 30 pounds per ream of 2,880 square feet. The web had a machinedirection wet tensile strength of 7.7 oz./in., and a cross-machinedirection wet tensile strength of 4.3 oz./in. This web mechanicallydisintegrated along the corridor regions when flushed within the vortexof a conventional household toilet system.

EXAMPLE II A fibrous web was wet formed from a furnish in which thefibers were 80% by weight southern pine and 20% by weight viscose rayon,1.5 denier, A" length. The formed web was print bonded on one surfacewith the square island pattern described in Example I, but with sides of1" in length and a spacing of A" to define the corridors. The adhesivein the islands had a 4% solids weight based on the dry weight of thefibers in the web, and covered approximately 80% of the surface area ofthe web. The web was then sprayed on its opposite surface with E-485,10% solids by weight, in an amount such that the web retained 4% solidsby weight, based on the dry weight of fibers in the web. The web washeated at 300 F. for tWo minutes to dry the web and cure the adhesive. Amoisturizing ingredient was added to the web in an amount ofapproximately 250% by weight, based on the weight of the adhesivelybonded and cured web. The web has a basis weight of 48 pounds per reamof 2,880 square feet. The web had a machine direction wet tensilestrength of 8.16 oz./in., and a cross-machine direction wet tensilestrength of 6.99 oz./in. This web mechanically disintegrated along thecorridor regions when flushed within the vortex of a conventionalhousehold toilet system.

What is claimed is:

1. A flushable, pre-moistened wiper capable of being packaged in a wetcondition for a long period of time without disintegrating, said wipercomprising:

A. a web of soft, flexible, absorbent fibrous material having opposedmajor surfaces, said web including a fiber weight of at least 50% ofshort cellulosic fibers of a papermaking length less than inch;

B. two water-insoluble adhesive distributions associated with said web;

(1) one water-insoluble adhesive distribution being distributed over onemajor surface of the web in a pattern of discrete islands separated bycorridor regions, said islands covering more than 50 percent of thesurface area of said web and extending at least partially throughthethickness of the Web for enhancing the wettensile strength of said webto permit use of said web in a wet condition without mechanicaldisintegration and for aiding in stabilizing surface fibers of said web,said web mechanically disintegrating substantially in said corridorregions when flushed within the vortex of a conventional householdtoilet system; and

(2) the other water-insoluble adhesive distribution disposed uniformlyover the planar extent of the web and associated with at least the othermajor surface of said web which is opposed to said one major surface,said other water-insoluble distribution extending at least partiallythrough the thickness of said web and having a solids weight of no morethan 5% based on the dry weight of the fibers in said web; whereby saidother adhesive distribution aids in providing structural integrity tosaid web during use, permits mechanical distintegration of the web oncesaid web is subjected to mechanical agitation of the type encountered inconventional household toilet systems, and stabilizes the fibers on atleast said other major surface of said web to enhance the abrasionresistance of said other major surface; and

C. a moisture content in said web of from between about 100% and about350% by weight based on the dry weight of the finished web.

2. The wiper according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive in 'both saiddistributions is a latex.

3. The wiper according to claim 2, wherein said one latex distributionhas a solids weight which does not exceed 8% based on the dry weight ofthe fibers in said web.

4. The wiper according to claim 2, wherein said one latex distributionhas a solids weight which does not 8 exceed 6% based on the dry weightof the fibers in said web.

5. The wiper according to claim 2, wherein the latex in both saiddistributions is the same.

6. The wiper according to claim 3, wherein said other latex distributionis substantially uniform and continuous along the planar extent of theweb and has its greatest concentration on one surface of the web andextends partially through the thickness of said web.

7. The wiper according to claim 6, wherein said other latex distributionhas a solids weight of from between about 2% and about 5% based on thedry weight of fibers in the web.

8. The wiper according to claim 3, wherein said other latex distributionis substantially uniform and continuous along the planar extent of theweb and extends substantially throughout the thickness of the web andhas a solids Weight of from between about 0.75% and about 4% based onthe dry weight of fibers in the web.

9. The wiper according to claim 3, wherein said other latex distributionis substantially uniform and continuous along the planar extent of theweb and extends substantially throughout the entire web and has a solidsWeight of from between about 0.75% and about 3% based on the dry weightof the fibers in the web.

10. The wiper according to claim 1, wherein all of the fibers in the webare short cellulosic fibers of a papermaking length less thanone-quarter inch.

11. The wiper according to claim 1, wherein said web includesreinforcing fibers having an average fiber length of at leastone-quarter inch in length.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,840,080 6/ 1958 Clark 117-453,044,895 7/ 1962 Isaacson 117-60 3,057,467 10/1962 Williams 117-76 P3,078,849 2/1963 Morse 128-290 3,123,075 3/ 1964 Stamberger 128-2873,129,811 4/1964 Williams 128-284 3,142,609 7/1964 Deretchin et a1.161-39 3,536,563 10/1970 Brandts et al. 156246 3,554,788 1/1971Fechillas 117-140 A 3,561,447 2/ 1971 Alexander 128-290 W 3,616,79711/1971 Champaigne et al. 128-290 W WILLIAM D. MARTIN, Primary ExaminerM. R. LUSIGNAN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,846,158 Dated November 5, 1974 Inventor) Kosta O. Vasilyadis It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 30, add -s to "layer". 0 Column 4, line 39, change"Instron" to -Instrom--.

Column 5, line 9, change "dimensions" to dimension-. Column 6, line 23,add before "a bleached sulfate soft" 0 Signed and Scaled thisTwenty-sixth D3) Of October 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Office Commissioner nfParenrsand Trademarks

1. A FLUSHABLE, PRE-MOISTENED WIPER CAPABLE OF BEINB PACKAGED IN A WETCONDITION FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT DISINTEGRATING, SAID WIPERCOMPRISING: A. A WEB OF SOFT, FLEXIBLE, ABSORBENT FIBROUS MATERIALHAVING OPPOSED MAJOR SURFACES, SAID WEB INCLUDING A FIBER WEIGHT OF ATLEAST 50% OF SHORT CELLULOSIC FIBERS OF A PAPERMAKING LENGTH LESS THAN1/4 INCH; B. TWO WATER-INSOLUBLE ADHESIVE DISTRIBUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITHSAID WEB; (1) ONE WATER-INSOLUBLE ADHESIVE DISTRIBUTION BEINGDISTTIBUTED OVER ONE MAJOR SURFACE OF THE WEB IN A PATTERN OF DISCRETEISLANDS SEPARATED BY CORRIDOR REGIONS, SAID ISLANDS COVERING MORE THAN50 PERCENT OF THE SURFACE AREA OF SAID WEB AND EXTENDING AT LEASTPARTIALLY THROUGH THE THICKNESS OF THE WEB FOR ENHANCING THE WETTENSILESTRENGTH OF SAID WEB TO PERMIT USE OF SAID WEB IN A WET CONDITIONWITHOUT MECHANICAL DISINTEGRATION AND FOR AIDING IN STABILIZING SURFACEFIBERS OF SAID WEB, SAID WEB MECANICALLY DISINTEGRATING SUBSTANTIALLY INSAID CORRIDOR REGIONS WHEN FLUSHED WITHIN THE VORTEX OF A CONVENTIONALHOUSEHOLD TOILET SYSTEM; AND FING-01 (2) THE OTHER WATER-INSOLUBLEADHESIVE DISTRIBUTION DISPOSED UNIFORMLY OVER THE PLANAR EXTENT OF THEWEB AND ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST THE OTHER MAJOR SURFACE OF SAID WEBWHICH IS OPPOSED TO SAID ONE MAJOR SURFACE, SAID OTHER WATER-INSOLUBLEDISTRIBUTION EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY THROUGH THE THICKNESS OF SAIDWEB AND HAVING A SOLUBLE DISTRIBUTION EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY DRYWEIGHT OF THE FIBERS IN SAID WEB; WHEREBY SAID OTHER ADHESIVEDISTRIBUTION AIDS IN PROVIDING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY TO SAID WEB DURINGUSE, PERMITS MECHANICAL DISTINTEGRATION OF THE WEB ONCE SAID WEB ISSUBJECTED TO MECHANICAL AGITATION OF THE TYPE ENCOUNTERED INCONVENTIONAL HOUSEHOLD TOILET SYSTEMS, AND STABILIZES THE FIBERS ON ATLEAST SAID OTHER MAJOR SURFACE OF SAID WEB TO ENHANCE THE ABRASIONRESISTANCE OF SAID OTHER NAJOR SURFACE; AND C. A MOISTURE CONTENT INSAID WEB OF FROM BETWEEN ABOUT 100% AND ABOUT 350% BY WEIGHT BASED ONTHE DRY WEIGHT OF THE FINISHED WEB.